About the airport

Owned by King County and managed by the county's Department of Executive Services, King County International Airport-Boeing Field is one of the busiest general aviation airports in the country.

It serves all sizes and types of aircraft, fills a wide range of commercial and recreational needs, and is home base for about 150 businesses - including air cargo companies, flight schools, charter operations, and helicopter services. Our tenants also include hundreds of small aircraft owners who use their planes for recreation and business.

Taxi and limousine service

Taxi and limousine service to and from the airport is only a telephone call away. These transportation services are not available on demand at curbside, so please contact the company of your choice in advance.

Rental cars

Rental cars are available at King County International Airport through the following businesses. Please contact them directly for your rental car needs.

In 1928, by a rate of 86 percent, King County voters approved a $950,000 plan for construction of the region’s first municipal airport. Today, King County International Airport is one of the busiest airports in the nation and it ranks among the most successful public investments in state history.

Originally named in honor of Boeing Company founder William E. Boeing, the airport helped to support the early growth of the Boeing Company. Throughout the 1930s, it served as a regional center for the burgeoning industries of commercial and recreational aviation.

On December 6, 1941, just one day before the attack on Pearl Harbor, the airport was closed to the public and taken over by the federal government because of its strategic location and its importance as a Boeing production center. During World War II, the airport was devoted to the production of thousands of B-17 and B-29 bombers, which played key roles in the Allied war effort.

After the war, Boeing Field reopened for civilian use and it served as the area's primary passenger airport until the development of Seattle-Tacoma International Airport in the late 1940s and early 1950s.

Today, King County International Airport-Boeing Field is one of the busiest general aviation airports in the nation, serving about 375,000 flights each year and a wide variety of aircraft, ranging from small recreational airplanes to helicopters, corporate jets, cargo carriers, Boeing planes, and military aircraft.

The airport is owned by the taxpayers of King County and managed by the King County Department of Executive Services. It is financed by fees paid by airport tenants and customers, and receives no general tax revenues.

Historic highlights

1928

50,000 people attended the airport’s official dedication, which honored William E. Boeing.

1928

King County began building its first hangar. Newspapers announced take-off times for Pacific Air Transport and West Air Transport service to Portland and San Francisco.

1930

Construction of the terminal and administration buildings finished.

1936

Work began on improvements, including draining, grading, fencing, and installation of air traffic obstruction lights and other navigational lighting. Total cost: $490,000.

1939

The airport changed to a 24-hour schedule.

1941

The airport received a national defense appropriation of $223,000 for paving.

1941

A new runway opened—5,825 feet long, and paved.

1944

The War Department authorized construction costing $2,670,000, including extension of the paved runway to 7,526 feet.

1948

A new 1,800-foot runway for light planes opened.

1951

The main runway was extended to 10,000 feet, with about 62,000 square yards of new nine-inch-deep paving.

1954

Commercial aviation history was made when the Boeing Company’s 707 "Dash 80" prototype made its maiden flight from the Renton Boeing Plant to Boeing Field.

1962

A new control tower opened for use on the west side of field, next to - and at about the midpoint of - the main runway.

1969

The small plane runway was extended to its present 3,710 feet.

1973

King County International Airport was chosen from among 610 Northwest airports to receive the Airport Improvement Award.

1974

King County International Airport was awarded the first Airport Operating Certificate issued to a nonscheduled air carrier airport by the FAA Northwest Region.

1976

A new Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting/Police Station was built at the base of the control tower.

1978

The airport celebrated its 50th anniversary with a plaque presented by the community.

1978

The Arrivals Building was completed next to the terminal to house U.S. Immigration and Customs.

1981

The Airpark Hangars Complex was built to house 20 business-sized aircraft.

1987

The Museum of Flight was dedicated.

1988

The Airpark Hangars Complex was expanded by 16 bays.

1993

The northeast apron was constructed, creating 55 aircraft tiedowns.

1993

Lighted taxiway guidance signs were installed.

1998

An instrument landing system (ILS) was installed on runway 31L.

2000

The newly constructed Northeast T-Hangars provided 22 full and 2 small bays.

2001

King County International Airport was selected by the National Air Transportation Association (NATA) as one of the "100 Most Needed Airports" in the United States.

King County International Airport has dedicated viewing areas around the airport on East Marginal Way, at Ruby Chow Park, and at the Airport Terminal. We established these areas partly with aviation photographers in mind. Recent damage by photographers to sections of barbed wire and fencing have been costly and time consuming to repair, so we ask viewers and photographers to be courteous while using the public viewing areas. If you see inappropriate behavior or suspicious activity, please report it to airport police at 206‑296‑7392.

Free parking is available at the airport terminal for airline passengers (see above under Location, directions, and parking). Park in any numbered spot and give the number of that parking space to the airline when you check in for your flight.

Travel time to downtown Seattle is about 20 to 30 minutes, depending on the mode and traffic conditions. To schedule a rental car, contact a fixed-base operator (see a list on our tenant directory). Taxi service between the airport and downtown Seattle costs between $25 and $30.